OVERFALLS (The Merworld Water Wars, Book 2) (22 page)

Doctor Tenly chuckled. “You make a good point, and present an even better nickname, but I don’t want you involved in finding this person. I have my reasons, Marina. We have it under control.”

“Fine. Whatever.” Sure, I’ll just sit at home while some sociopath lurks about, waiting for the right time to murder a loved one. Riiiight. “I’ll stay out of it, if you truly have it under control.”

Doctor Tenly studied me for a moment. He knows me better than I hoped. “Uh-huh. Think I bought your pile of artificial fish food crap?”

“Um, no?”

“No,” he said, pointing a finger. “Gully, I’d like you to tell Marina what messages you see in that card. Tell her what you told me in the basement.”

“Can I take her hair down?” asked Meikle.

“No,” said Doctor Tenly sternly.

“Why not? She’s so much more entertaining when she speaks gibberish,” said Polly.

“Absolutely not,” said Doctor Tenly, before grinning broadly. “Besides, I already got to see her in full garble downstairs.”

Polly stomped her foot, and said, “Unfair! Why do you get to make fun of her and we don’t?”

“First, I didn’t make fun of her. I find her quirks as intriguing as cereal with marshmallows. Second, I’m your elder and get to do whatever I want. Third…well, I’m just smarter, aren’t I? I ‘accidentally’ let a Marfloofleel loose and, unfortunately, it pulled her hair loose.”

“You have a criminal mind,” said Meikle. “Love that.”

While Gully laughed at Doctor Tenly and Meikle, Polly turned to face her. “You do know he unleashed a creature on you purely for his entertainment, right?”

“Oh, yes! He’s very clever,” said Gully.

Polly huffed and plopped on the couch.

“A pouting Polly is a fun sight. Gully, you are officially my favorite Normal,” said Jex.

“Aw, aren’t you just the nicest gray-winged angel!” squeaked Gully. “Um, okay, are you ready for me to reveal some of the hidden messages in this card?”

“Go for it,” I said.

Carefully slipping the card from the plastic baggie, Gully held it in her hands and gasped. “Sorry, it’s just this person scares me. Well, I think it’s pretty obvious that this person aims to murder someone you care deeply about, Marina. This person is an assassin. Um, yes, okay, I see the person’s name begins with a ‘D.’ This could be a first name, last name, middle, nickname, or title. He or she enjoys inflicting pain and fear. Because of that twisted joy, there will be more notes, likely on cards. When the game starts, you’ll know. That’s all I have.”

“That’s enough,” I mused. “Thanks, Gully. You’re like a little hacker…a brain hacker.”

“Ooh, I like that,” she said, grinning and placing the card back in the bag.

“I’ll take it, Gully,” said Jex. He soared over to a purple bulletin board near Doctor Tenly’s desk. “I think we should add all cards to this board. Looking at them together should give us more perspective.”

“Like the police do during an investigation,” said Trey.

“Exactly,” said Jex.

“Good idea,” I said. “Doctor, did you find anything from those tests you ran?”

Shaking his head, he said, “Nope, apart from the aura plume test…and, boy, is this person’s aura dark.”

“We can’t keep calling whoever it is ‘this person,’” said Polly. “Far too irritating.”

“Any suggestions for a tag?” Troy asked. “Should probably start with a ‘D.’”

“Demon?” said Meikle, smirking at Polly.

“Lowest form of humor, Meeks,” said Polly.

“Got one,” said Jex, leaning against the bulletin board. “Deliverer.”

“Jex! That’s cruel,” I said, not wanting to admit to the slight twinge in my gut.

“You’re crossing a very thin line, clucky,” said Troy through gritted teeth.

Jex shrugged. “Hey, if the fin fits…”

Troy stared hard at Jex, clenching his jaw. “When do I have another training session with you and the wannabe bird, Doctor?”

“Uh, well…next week,” said Doctor Tenly, rather hesitantly.

“Good.” By his alarmingly dark tone and mega-murderous eyes, I think Jex has officially won a place on Troy’s
asses to be kicked
list.

“The Dealer. For the name of the assassin, I mean,” said Maile, bringing the conversation away from the fin-feather smack-down tangent and back to the topic at hand.

“Dealers deal cards,” said Ophelia, thinking aloud.

“And it’s someone we have to
deal
with,” Trey added.

“It’s perfect,” I said darkly. “The Dealer.” Oh, this crap just became real.

“The Dealer it is,” said Doctor Tenly gleefully. “Now I—why is Maile sitting on my armadillo?”

Squinting in Doctor Tenly’s general direction, Maile said, “I’m sitting on an armadillo?”

“Uh, maybe because you haven’t helped correct her day vision issues,” I said, answering the doctor.

“Ah! That’s what I’ve been forgetting!” Doctor Tenly made a mental note—literally. Tracing words on his forehead, Doctor Tenly said, “I’ll have something for her by the opening ceremony. Wouldn’t want her to miss the spectacle.”

“Because I’m sure she’s just dying to see our butts branded with a type of slap-yourself-silly stress that was sure to make us all want ice bags, barf bags, ibuprofen, and, uh, some of that aged root beer,” I said.

“Couldn’t have said it better myself,” said Doctor Tenly.

We all laughed, apart from Gully, who, like clockwork, said, “Um, what does that mean exactly?”

Morning of the Opening Ceremony.
Well, the sandman delivered last night. Although, I could’ve done without all the bizarre dreams and nightmares involving crabmeat being shoved down my throat by The Dealer…who had the face of my boyfriend. Damn Jex for putting the ridiculous idea of Troy—EX-Deliverer—being The Dealer in my head. Still, was it really that much of a stretch? The only time I caught a glimpse of Troy’s inner demon was on the beach the night I stole the stone from Zale’s mansion. Though only a brief flash, his inner demon clearly drowned out any part of the man I fell in love with; it was as though Troy disappeared entirely. Could his inner demon be making lengthy guest appearances, buying enough time to leave notes and plan a murder? I shook my head as hard as possible. I refuse to entertain the notion any longer.

Clipping back my rat’s nest of a mane, I crawled out of bed and ventured into the kitchen, where the smell of freshly baked goodness made me think it was Christmastime. Mom looked like she had been baking all night.

“Did you all-nighter it?” I asked.

Wiping powdered sugar off her nose and cheek, she said, “Sure did. Have a surprise for you. Took Tree all night to help me get it ready. She just left, actually.”

“Tree was here?”

“She was back and forth all night and morning,” said Mom, using disinfecting wipes on the counters.

“What are you two up to?”

Rounding the counter, Mom tweaked my nose. “I told you, it’s a surprise.” Mom’s mischievous grin vanished and she started swaying. “Ooh.”

“Mom! Come on. Couch.” Guiding her to the living room and helping her onto the couch, I carefully studied her face. There was alarm in her eyes.

Noticing my quizzical gaze, she patted my hand reassuringly. “I’m fine, baby girl. Just haven’t stayed up until dawn’s early crack since my college days.”

“Why don’t you go rest,” I suggested. “We still have hours.”

“I couldn’t possibly sleep! Too wired. Your team and coach will pick you up, right?”

“Yep, on the beach. Mom?”

“Hmm?”

“Will you maybe wait with me? I know Mr. Gibbs is taking you, but…” Yep, I’m a seventeen-year-old high school senior who wants her mommy to hold her hand until the last possible minute. What of it? Just because I’m the Savior doesn’t mean I have to be brave and all. Oh. Wait. Um…

“Of course, my sweetheart. No place I’d rather be.” She kissed me on my forehead and started humming
Deep Purple Dreamers
, my great-grandfather’s song. It was the safest I’ve felt in a long time.

Nearly
three o’clock, Overfalls Opening Ceremony time
. Mr. Gibbs and Mom waited with me on the beach for my teammates to arrive. When they did, I noticed some green faces and troubled eyes; my stomach felt the way they looked, which meant I had the gag-face to match. Mom hugged me about a trillion times before Mr. Gibbs coaxed her to his car. With silent nods and meek smiles, we made our way down the beach. We heard the cheers ahead, yet the world never sounded so quiet.

The closer we got to the library, the more spectacular the sight. Before us stood an enormous three-tiered stadium in the shape of a horseshoe. The exterior sparkled like prisms, sending beautiful beams of color in every direction. Jex quietly led us inside. Apart from a few stragglers, almost everyone was already seated. Good thing, too, because it gave us plenty of time and space to marvel over all the shops and eateries.

In Fanmerk’s Ultimate Fan Shop, fans could buy tees with event-specific phrases, such as
Fall Over the Overfalls
,
Tails vs. Toes
, and
First
Ever
Overfalls
…
Probably the Last
. A dark, narrow shop called Bloody Bunions had a sign repeatedly announcing, “Closed until after the first match. Stop by afterwards for all authentic Overfalls’ memorabilia, including bloody weapons, severed body parts, ripped flesh, fin scales, hair chunks, teeth, and much more!” There were tons of food stands offering a range of raw fishy foods, blood cups in every type (presumably for the vampires), rare steaks (for werewolves, most likely), and flavored sugar thimbles for pixies. Unfortunately, I saw nothing for Normals.

As we passed Claude’s Claws, specializing in raw crab claws, the smell went straight up my nose and to my throat. It was especially unfortunate that an adorable elderly couple walked by me, smiling…just as I gagged…in their faces. The poor woman flinched in fear, while her sweet husband looked completely offended.

“Oh—GAG—no—GAG—I’m so sorry,” I croaked.

“Oooh, hello Mr. and Mrs. Fitzpinch!” said Treeva, sweeping in between us. “This is Miss Marina Valentine, captain of team Normals. She, uh, just has a tiny intolerance when it comes to raw fish, especially crab.”

“Or just fish in general,” I said in the midst of a gag.

“Well, aren’t you an interesting Normal,” said Mrs. Fitzpinch, studying my eyes. “The Savior, too, so I hear.”

“Yes, I’m the Savior, or I’m trying to be,” I said, feeling like an incapable idiot.

“Don’t worry, dear, you’ll do just fine,” said Mr. Fitzpinch, while his wife grinned like Mrs. Claus.

“And we should know,” she said. “We’ve waited a long time for you.”

“Better scoot to our seats, my dear,” said Mr. Fitzpinch. “We just had to come back down and try some authentic New Orleans beignets from The Cakey Corner. Bye now, and good luck!”

As they shuffled off, I said, “Beignets? The Cakey Corner?”

Treeva spun me around to face a pink and yellow booth with a sign overhead that read, Camille’s Cakey Corner, Treats for Feet & Fins alike! My mom was behind the counter, singing and waving.

“Baby girl! Surprise!”

“Mom? How? I mean…how?”

“Treeva set it up and even sponsored me. With a member of the royal family backing me, enemies stay quiet and others actually take chances and buy,” said Mom, beaming.

“You mean merps are finally removing their heads from their fins and buying the goodness?” I squealed.

“Well, some have, but most of my patrons are tourists. Do you know, I think I served my very first vampire! Mark it down—they have a sweet fang. Still, I’ve been so busy, I had to enlist help!”

“I don’t see anyone,” said Ophelia.

“What? Where on earth?” Mom peeked over a prep space behind her and gave a little exasperated sigh. “Oh, for heaven’s sake. Come on! Meet and greet, here!”

Mr. Gibbs, wearing a lacy pink apron, emerged from behind a tall, silver table, his face covered in powder and dough bits.

Jex and Polly didn’t even try to hide their amusement, unlike the rest of us.

“Look who’s the whipped one,” said Jex, his wings smacking together.

“Why, Mr. Gibbs, you look so…so…”stuttered Gully.

“Dumb,” supplied Polly, clutching her side.

Mr. Gibbs crossed his arms. “Thank you for your assessment, Miss Purdue. Tell me, how is that essay coming along?”

Polly’s face fell. “I get you.”

“Excellent,” he said.

He really did look absurd, but since he donned the silliness for my mama, I found him flipping adorable. “Personally, I think going against the male standards and embracing your inner femininity is pretty awesome.”

“Thank you, Marina,” said Mr. Gibbs. “But I think Polly’s evaluation was spot on.”

“Does that mean I get a cookie?” asked Polly. “I really want a cookie. That cookie.” She pointed to a sugar cookie with pink icing.

“No junk food,” said Jex.

Slowly rotating to face our coach, Polly growled, “I really do hate you.”

Jex smirked. “The feeling is more mutual than you could possibly know. And the answer is still no. We need to get to our tunnel for team intros.”

“We’ll be watching and cheering, peanut,” said Mom.

“Love you, Mom. Bye, Tree.” Giving her a hug, I whispered in her ear, “Thank you. She’s never been so happy in a job.”

“I’m not that innocent,” said Treeva. “I had ulterior motives. I’m the official taste-tester.”

“Hey, where’d that pink cookie go?” asked Gully. “It’s gone. Ooh, maybe a pixie scooped it up! Hmm. But it would take a swarm of pixies, wouldn’t it, seeing as the cookie is too big for one pixie carry on her own.” Gully was totally in her own world of la-la.

Jex raised an eyebrow. Peering at Polly over his shoulder, he exhaled in dramatic fashion. Polly’s cheeks were as full as a chipmunk storing nuts for the winter. Polly tried to smile, and Mom stared innocently at the ceiling, whistling. I heard a subtle crunching sound behind me and felt Trey nudge my arm. In his hand was a chocolate chip cookie.

“Aw, you have to be tugging my feathers,” said Jex, slapping his hands against his legs. All of team Normals had cookie-cheeks and uh-oh eyes. “Can you believe this, Savior?”